Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Travels To Illinois
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| Michigan State (18-8, 9-4) vs. Illinois (17-9, 7-6) | |
| Date | Sunday, February 22, 2015 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Location | Champaign, Ill. | State Farm Center |
| Television | BTN (Eric Collins, Bob Wenzel) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) |
| Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Illinois |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Illinois |
| Live Stats | |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  | Instagram |
THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State and Illinois meet for the second time in just over two weeks as the Spartans travel to Champaign. The Illini took advantage of some poor foul shooting by MSU on Feb. 7 to emerge with a 59-54 victory in East Lansing. The visiting team has won the last three meetings in the series.
THE STARTING FIVE
1. Spartan Defense
On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 61.4 points on .388 FG%, including .303 from 3-point range. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in FG pct. defense and 3-point FG pct. defense, while ranking third in scoring defense. In conference games, MSU ranks second in FG pct. defense (.398), first in 3-point FG pct. defense (.317), and fourth in scoring defense (62.5 ppg). The all-time lows of the Izzo era were a .379 FG% in 2011-12 and .298 3FG% in 2001-02.
2. Rare Company For Dawson
With current season averages of 12.4 points and 10.1 rebounds, Branden Dawson is averaging a double-double. Under Tom Izzo, Draymond Green is the only Spartan to record a double-double for an entire season, averaging 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds in 2011-12. Antonio Smith averaged 10.6 rebounds in 1996-97, but just 8.5 points.
3. Tum Tum In The Starting Lineup
Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. has started four games this season, including the last three. In his starts, Nairn is averaging 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 29.0 minutes per contest. Furthermore, he is shooting .750 (9-of-12) from the field. In his last three starts vs. Northwestern, Ohio State and Michigan, he's averaging 4.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, making 6-of-7 shots. MSU is 4-0 when Nairn starts.
4. Trice Off The Bench
While Tum Tum Nairn Jr. has moved into the starting lineup for the last three games, Travis Trice has assumed the role of a Morris Peterson and Draymond Green, former Spartans that starred off the bench. In the last three contests, Trice is MSU's leading scorer at 15.7 points per game, shooting .441 from the field and .563 (9-of-16) from behind the arc, while averaging 5.0 assists.
5. Dawson's Double-Doubles
Branden Dawson has posted double-doubles in eight of 13 Big Ten games (Indiana, at Iowa, at Maryland, Penn State, at Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, at Michigan), leading all Big Ten players in conference games. Against Nebraska, he grabbed 18 rebounds, a personal best against a Big Ten opponent. Dawson has grabbed double-figure rebounds in 11 of 13 conference games, averaging a Big Ten-best 11.3 rebounds per game in Big Ten play (10.1 rpg overall). He has nine double-doubles this season and 21 for his career.
MSU VS. ILLINOIS NOTES
Series History
Illinios leads the all-time series with Michigan State, 58-57, including a 37-18 advantage in games played in Champaign. MSU has won eight of the last 13 against Illinois and 10 of the last 16. Seventeen of the last 18 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less. Tom Izzo is 20-16 in his career against the Illini. The road team has won the last three games in the series.
Coach Groce
John Groce (Taylor, '94) is 145-93 in his seventh season as a head coach, including 60-37 in his third season at Illinois. Prior to his arrival in Champaign, Groce spent four seasons at Ohio University, leading the Bobcats to an 85-56 mark. In 2011-12, he directed Ohio to a 29-8 record, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. His coaching career includes stints as an assistant at Taylor, North Carolina State, Butler, Xavier and Ohio State.
The Last Meeting
Illinois defeated Michigan State, 59-54, on Feb. 7, 2015, in East Lansing. The Spartans got off to a quick 10-2 start, but missed on multiple opportunities to make the margin even larger. Illinois led by a single point at the half, and by as many as seven points in the second half. The Illini held a 55-52 advantage when Travis Trice was fouled with 33 seconds left. He hit the front end of a 1-and-1, and after the ball when through the basket, Jaylon Tate was assessed a deadball technical foul for an excessive and late box-out of Trice. Trice missed the second free throw and Forbes went to the foul line with two free throws for the technical to tie the game. He made just one, but MSU still had possession of the ball trailing by a single point. Denzel Valentine had a shot to take the lead, but the shot was off and Illinois corralled the rebound and put the game away at the foul line. Valentine led MSU with 16 points, while Malcolm Hill led all scorers with 19 points. MSU made just 7-of-18 from the foul line, including missing the front end of two one-and-ones.
The Last Meeting In Champaign
Michigan State defeated Illinois, 78-62, on Jan. 18, 2014, in Champaign. Leading 24-22, MSU closed the first half on an 11-3 run over the final 4:02, including six late points from Gary Harris, to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Illinois made one final push, cutting the Spartan lead to six points at 59-53 with 6:09 remaining. Keith Appling then scored six straight points, pushing the lead back to 12 points, as Illinois could never get closer than nine points after that. Harris led MSU with 23 points, shooting 7-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Denzel Valentine added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Appling scored 15. Tracy Abrams led Illinois with 15 points. MSU shot 55.8 percent, compared to 37.7 percent for Illinois, with the Spartans holding a +13 edge on the glass.
Illini Notes
Illinois leads the nation in free-throw percentage (.793), including a remarkable .816 in Big Ten games ... Malcolm Hill is the leading sophomore scorer in the Big Ten, averaging 14.7 points per game ... Nnanna Egwu ranks third in the conference in blocked shots, averaging 1.8 per contest ... Illinois averages just 9.9 turnovers per game, ranking 11th in the nation.
GM. 26 RECAP • MICHIGAN STATE 80 - MICHIGAN 67
The Spartans dominated the first half and cruised to an 80-67 win at Michigan. MSU led 8-6 when Travis Trice entered the contest. He promptly connected on his first three 3-point attempts as MSU jumped out to a 21-8 lead. After that, Michigan never got closer than 10 points for the rest of the contest. Leading 24-13, MSU used a 9-1 run, capped by two lobs from Trice to Branden Dawson, to push the lead out to 19 points at 33-14. MSU led 38-23 at the break and used 65.2 percent shooting in the second half to fend off any potential Wolverine comeback. The Spartans also hit 10-of-12 free throws in the final 2:15 of the contest.
MSU VS. MICHIGAN NOTES
* Spartan seniors Branden Dawson and Travis Trice combined for 45 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in recording their first win in Crisler Center.
* MSU snapped a four-game losing streak at Crisler.
* Branden Dawson scored a season-high 23 points. In two games this season, he averaged 21.0 points and 11.5 rebounds against the Wolverines.
* With 23 points and 13 rebounds, Dawson notched the second 20-point, 10-rebound effort of his career.
* MSU shot 62.0 percent from the field, a season-high in Big Ten play, and the second-highest percentage of the season.
* MSU's 80 points were its most against UM since scoring 90 on Feb. 18, 2006, and the most in Ann Arbor since scoring 91 on Jan. 30, 2001.
* MSU's 13-point margin of victory was its largest in Ann Arbor since a 15-point victory (64-49) on Feb. 12, 2005.
* MSU out-scored UM, 42-18, in points in the paint.
MSU BASKETBALL NOTES
Izzo's 20th Season
In his 20th season as Michigan State head coach, the 2014-15 campaign is Tom Izzo's 32nd year in East Lansing. An eight-time National Coach of the Year, Izzo has guided MSU to seven Big Ten Championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles, 17 straight NCAA Tournaments, six Final Four appearances, and the 2000 NCAA Championship in his stint as head coach. He is MSU's all-time winningest coach with 486 wins, and is the longest serving active men's basketball coach in the Big Ten. In addition, his 468 victories are the fourth-most by a coach in his first 19 years of coaching in NCAA history. The only high-major coaches with longer active tenures at one school are Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (39th season) and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (35th season).
Izzo Moves Up Big Ten Coaching List
Tom Izzo ranks third on the career Big Ten victories list with 230. He moved into sole possession of third place with win No. 229 vs. Ohio State, passing former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (228 wins) . Indiana's Bob Knight is the all-time leader with 353 Big Ten wins, while Gene Keady ranks second with 265 victories. In terms of most wins at a Big Ten institution, Izzo already ranks third with 486, trailing only Knight (661 wins) and Keady (512).
Spartans Strong On The Road
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best 37-23 (.617) mark in conference road games over the last six-plus seasons (since the start of 2008-09 Big Ten play). Ohio State is 34-27 on the road, while Wisconsin is 34-26.
Dawson In Elite Group
Branden Dawson and Draymond Green are the only players in Michigan State history to rank in Top 10 in Spartan career rebounds, blocks and steals. Dawson currently ranks third in career blocks (118), eighth in career steals (153), and ninth in career rebounds (816).
Valentine's Versatility
Denzel Valentine is arguably the most versatile player in the Big Ten and the numbers provide the evidence. The Spartan junior is the only player to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in scoring (12th), rebounding (15th) and assists (8th). He also ranks in the Top 15 in 3-point field-goal percentage (6th), 3-point field goals made (3rd), assist-to-turnover ratio (11th), and defensive rebounds (7th).
Dawson Climbs Rebounding Chart
Branden Dawson is on pace to finish among the all-time leaders in Michigan State career rebounding. With 816 career boards, he ranks ninth in MSU history, 19 behind Andre Hutson (835 rebounds) in eighth place, and 71 behind Goran Suton (887 rebounds) in seventh place.
MSU Attacks The Offensive Glass
In Big Ten play, Michigan State averages a conference-best 12.2 offensive rebounds per contest. The Spartans grab 35.7 percent of their missed shots in conference games, ranking third in the Big Ten. MSU is averaging 12.9 second-chance points in Big Ten play, outscoring opponents by +5.0 points per game.
Valentine Regains The Outside Touch
In 13 non-conference games, Denzel Valentine shot .500 (35-70) from 3-point range. In the first eight conference games, he shot just .289 (13-45), making two or more 3-pointers in just four games, including just two with more than two. Beginning with the first Michigan contest, he's shown signs of regaining the early season form, shooting .447 (17-38) over the last five games, despite making 0-of-3 in Ann Arbor, hitting four or more 3-pointers in four of the last five games, including five vs. Ohio State.
Dawson's Defense
Branden Dawson is among the best defensive players in the conference, as his strength and athleticism give him the versatility to guard nearly any position on the floor. Consider what some of the best players in the Big Ten have done against Dawson: Maryland's Jake Layman (Dec. 30) (Avg. 15.8 ppg entering the game - 4 pts., 2-4 FG, 0-2 3FG), Indiana's Troy Williams (Jan. 5) (13.6 ppg - 0 pts., 0-2 FG, 1 reb.), Iowa's Aaron White (Jan. 8) (17.2 ppg - 8 pts., 2-4 FG, 1-1 3FG), Michigan's Zak Irvin (Feb. 1) (13.6 ppg - 11 pts., 5-14 FG, 1-6 3FG). He is the only player to rank in the Top 15 in the Big Ten in steals (9th, 1.4 spg), blocks (9th, 1.5 bpg) and defensive rebounds (1st, 6.9 drpg). In conference games, he ranks 10th in steals (1.4 spg), second in blocks (2.2 bpg) and first in defensive rebounds (7.8 drpg).
A Hall Of Fame Coach
On Thursday, February 12, Tom Izzo was formally inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. The rest of the class included recently retired New York Yankees great and Kalamazoo-raised Derek Jeter (not in attendance due to flight issues), Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov, University of Michigan All-American and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, NHL All-Star and Westland native Mike Modano, Livonia's four-time Olympian, and gold-medal winning swimmer Sheila Taormina and Aleta Sill, from Dearborn, the nation's first female professional bowler to reach $1 million in winnings. Detroit Lions All-Pro defensive tackle Doug English was also named in a special selection by the Hall's Legends Council. Izzo is also a member of the Northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula and the National Italian-American Sports Halls of Fame.
Keeping The 3-Pointer In Perspective
Michigan State is shooting .398 from 3-point range this season, marking the second-best percentage of the Tom Izzo era. But on-target shooting does not equal an over-reliance on the outside shot. MSU has attempted 495 3-pointers in 1469 field-goal attempts, meaning 33.7 percent of its shots are from behind the arc. That percentage ranks as the second-highest percentage of the Izzo era, behind 2013-14 (36.3%). It's the sixth time in Izzo's 20 seasons that more than 30 percent of the shot attempts have been 3-pointers, joining the 2004-05 (32.8%), 2010-11 (32.7%), 2003-04 (31.2%) and 1999-2000 (31.1%) squads.
Balanced Scoring
Michigan State features a balanced scoring attack with three players averaging in double figures, four averaging 9.3 points or more, and six players averaging more than six points per game. Six different Spartans have led the team in scoring in a single game, as seven different players have scored in double figures at least once. There have been six games in which five Spartans have reached double figures, two more times than all of last season. The Spartans are a perfect 10-0 when four or more players score in double-figures, and just 8-8 when three or fewer Spartans hit double-figures.
Spartans Strong On The Glass
Michigan State owns a Big Ten-best +8.2 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded 21 of 26 opponents, ranking 12th in the nation. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 526 of 681 opponents (.772), posting a 416-110 (.791) mark in those games. The Spartans have led the nation in rebounding in four of the last 15 seasons (2000, 2001, 2009, 2010), ranking in the Top 10 nine times and the Top 25 on 12 occasions. MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in conference games in 11 of the last 17 years.
Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 10.1 boards per contest. In conference games, he's averaging a Big Ten-best 11.3 rebounds, recording double-figure rebounds in 11 of 13 conference games. Twice this season, he's grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds - at Nebraska and at Notre Dame. The 18 rebounds are tied for the most by a Spartan since Goran Suton grabbed 20 vs. Oakland in 2007. Dawson's nine offensive rebounds against the Irish are tied for the third-best single-game effort in MSU history (since 1986-87). The 18 rebounds at Nebraska mark a personal best against a Big Ten opponent. Should Dawson continue to lead the Big Ten in rebounding, he'll be the first player 6-6 or shorter to do it since Wisconsin's Patrick Tompkins in 1991 (overall), and the first to do it in conference games since Minnesota's Richard Coffey in 1988.
Spartans On Target From Deep
Michigan State is shooting .398 (197-495) from 3-point range this season, ranking second in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation. In conference play, MSU is shooting .374, ranking second. Bryn Forbes (.437) ranks second in the Big Ten, while Denzel Valentine (.425) ranks sixth in the conference and 24th in the nation.
Dawson Named Player Of The Week
Branden Dawson was named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week by the Big Ten Conference on Monday, Feb. 2. In a pair of Spartan victories, he averaged 18.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.0 blocks on the road at Rutgers and at home against Michigan. He shot 71.4 percent from the field, while recording two double-doubles, to earn the first Big Ten Player of the Week honor of his career. He shared the honor with Illinois' Malcolm Hill. It marked the third time a Spartan has been honored by the conference office this season, as Travis Trice has earned Player of the Week accolades twice (Jan. 12 and Nov. 17).
The Costello-Schilling Combination
Junior Matt Costello (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and sophomore Gavin Schilling (6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg) have combined to give Michigan State a solid post presence. The two Spartans average a combined 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds, shooting .614 (143-233) from the field.
All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson is third in Michigan State history with 118 career blocks, 16 behind Drew Naymick (134 blocks) in second place. With three blocks against Penn State Dawson joined Draymond Green and Adreian Payne as the only players in MSU history with 1,000 career points and 100 career blocks. Payne is the MSU career leader with 141 blocks. With 86 blocks, Matt Costello is one block outside the Top 10. Paul Davis currently ranks 10th with 87 career blocks.
Big Ten Success
Michigan State has captured at least a share of the Big Ten Championship or a Big Ten Tournament title in four of the last six seasons. After winning the title outright in 2009, the Spartans shared the conference crown in 2010 and 2012. In 2012, MSU also added a Big Ten Tournament title to its resume. Last season, MSU won the Big Ten Tournament after finishing tied for second in the regular season. During Tom Izzo's tenure, the Spartans have won seven regular-season titles and four tournament crowns.
Big Ten Success, Part II
Michigan State has won 13 regular-season Big Ten Championships, including three of the last six, since joining the league prior to the 1950-51 season. The Spartans' first ever league game was at Northwestern, where MSU claimed a 67-62 victory on Jan. 6, 1951. All-time, MSU is 588-465 (.558) in league play, including 230-105 (.687) under Tom Izzo, who ranks third in league history with 230 conference wins. Izzo has guided MSU to seven of its 13 league crowns. Since Izzo's first season (1995-96), MSU has a Big Ten-best record of 230-105, 14 games better than second-place Wisconsin (216-119).
Julius Erving Award Candidates
Branden Dawson and Denzel Valentine are two of 15 candidates for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. By early March, the current list will be narrowed down to five players. Among the other candidates are Wisconsin's Sam Dekker and Nebraska's Terran Petteway from the Big Ten.
Trice From Distance
Travis Trice is situated to end his career as one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in MSU history. Trice sits in sixth place in career 3-pointers (170), 32 behind Maurice Ager in fifth place. With 421 career 3-point attempts, Trice ranks eighth, 12 behind Durrell Summers (433).
A Thin Line Between Victory And Defeat
In six of Michigan State's eight defeats, the Spartans have either led or been within a possession in the final minute of the contest, with three of the losses coming in overtime (one in double overtime). Against Kansas, MSU trailed by just three points in the final minute with possession of the ball. At Notre Dame, MSU led by six with under eight minutes left, before falling by a single point in overtime. In an overtime upset loss to Texas Southern, MSU led by eight points with eight minutes to play, and by six with under four minutes to play. In the Big Ten opener, MSU led Maryland by five with under five minutes to play and by four with under two minutes left in overtime, before losing a two-point game in double overtime. At Nebraska, MSU rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to pull within three points and then two points in the final minute. Against Illinois, MSU trailed by three points in the final minute, with four free throw attempts to take the lead, but could make just two, cutting the deficit to a single point. The Spartans then had possession of the basketball with a chance to take the lead but could not score.
Valentine's Continual Improvement
Always known for his versatility, Denzel Valentine has worked hard to become a terrific shooter. After shooting .281 (16-57) from 3-point range as a freshman and improving to .377 (43-114) as a sophomore, Valentine is one of the best shooters in the conference this season. He ranks third in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals per game (2.5) and sixth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.425; 65-153), ranking 24th in the nation.
Trice's Stellar Senior Campaign
Travis Trice ranks third in the Big Ten in assists (5.5 apg) and paces the conference, and ranks fourth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.4), leading the Spartans in both categories. He is eighth in 3-point field goals made (2.2).
Long Range Firepower
Michigan State established a school single-season record in 2013-14 with 307 made 3-pointers, 54 more than the previous school record. The Spartans made 10 or more 3-pointers in 14 games, including a school single-game record 17 at Purdue, tying the Big Ten record for a conference game. This season, MSU is averaging 7.6 made 3-pointers per contest, ranking third in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU and ranks third in the Big Ten with 65 made 3-pointers (2.5 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in 13 games, including seven games with 10 or more.
The 1,000-Point Club
Branden Dawson ranks 35th in MSU history with 1,179 points, needing five points to pass Shannon Brown (1,183 points), seven points to pass Mike Peplowski (1,185 points), and 17 to pass Alan Anderson and Kelvin Torbert (1,195 points). Bryn Forbes (1,139 points) has also eclipsed the 1,000-point career mark this season, although 905 of those came in his first two seasons at Cleveland State.
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. That was never on display more than it was last year, as the Spartans established a school single-season record with 637 assists, leading the Big Ten with 16.76 assists per game. This season, MSU is averaging 17.4 assists per game, leading the Big Ten and ranking second in the nation, recording an assist on 64.8 percent of its baskets. In 13 games, MSU has recorded an assist on more than 70 percent of its baskets (vs. Navy 18 ast., 25 FG - 72.0%; vs. Loyola 27 ast., 36 FG - 75.0%; vs. Santa Clara 22 ast., 29 FG - 75.9%; vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff 27 ast., 30 FG - 90.0%; vs. Oakland 25 ast., 34 FG - 73.5%; vs. Eastern Michigan 17 ast., 20 FG - 85.0%; vs. The Citadel 23 ast., 32 FG - 71.9%; vs. Maryland 15 ast., 21 FG - 71.4%; vs. Indiana 21 ast., 28 FG - 75.0%; vs. Iowa 19 ast., 27 FG - 70.4%; vs. Michigan 19 ast., 27 FG - 70.4%; vs. Northwestern 19 ast., 23 FG - 82.6%; vs. Ohio State 19 ast., 24 FG - 79.2%).
Free Basketball
Michigan State is 2-3 in overtime games this season, as the five overtime games are the most since the Spartans played five during the 1987-88 season. MSU entered the season having won seven straight overtime games dating back to a loss to Minnesota in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament. MSU has never played more than five overtime games in a single season.
Costello Playing Well
Matt Costello is averaging 8.2 points over the last 18 games, in addition to 5.3 rebounds, shooting .615 from the field in 19.8 minutes per contest. Costello started the first six games of the season, averaging 6.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes, shooting .593 from the field. He's come off the bench in the last 20 games, averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes, shooting .612 from the field. Costello has posted two double-doubles on the season.
Dawson's Early-Season Injury And Illness
Branden Dawson suffered a stable, non-displaced fracture on his left wrist after taking a hard fall in the Dec. 17 contest vs. Eastern Michigan. He missed MSU's next two games vs. Texas Southern (Dec. 20) and The Citadel (Dec. 22). He returned to the lineup against Maryland (Dec. 30), totaling nine points and 11 rebounds, while wearing a brace. He had the brace removed prior to MSU's second game vs. Maryland (Jan. 17). Earlier this season, Dawson missed the game against Santa Clara with the flu, and came off the bench vs. Rider and Marquette while recovering from the same illness.
Ranked Opponents
Michigan State is currently not ranked in either the USA Today Coaches Poll or the Associated Press Top 25. Six Spartan opponents are ranked in the Top 25: Duke (No. 4 AP/No. 5 USA Today), Wisconsin (5/4), Kansas (8/8), Notre Dame (10/10), Maryland (16/15), and Ohio State (24/23).
Bess Out Of Action
Javon Bess missed the first 10 games of the season while recovering from a broken right foot. He made his debut against Eastern Michigan on Dec. 17. His development was further stunted by a pair of sprained ankles suffered since the return from the holiday break, limiting him to just 33 total minutes in the first four Big Ten games. He then started the next three games in Big Ten play, averaging 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per contest, while bringing some toughness to the Spartan lineup. But pain returned in the foot, forcing him to come off the bench in two games, and he has not played in MSU's last four games.
Double-Double Trouble
Four different Spartans have posted a double-double this season as Branden Dawson (vs. Notre Dame-16 pts., 18 reb.; vs. Indiana-14 pts., 13 reb.; vs. Iowa-14 pts., 15 rebs.; vs. Maryland-14 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Penn State-12 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Rutgers-17 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Michigan-19 pts., 10 reb.; vs. Ohio State-15 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Michigan-23 pts., 13 reb.) leads MSU with nine. Matt Costello (vs. Loyola-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Texas Southern-17 pts., 10 reb.), Gavin Schilling (vs. Santa Clara-14 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Penn State-11 pts., 10 reb.) and Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Nebraska-21 pts., 11 reb.) each have two. For his career, Dawson has 21 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled six.
MSU's M.A.S.H. Unit
Michigan State has dealt with injury issues for much of the season. Freshman Javon Bess underwent surgery in late October on a broken bone in his right foot. After missing the first 10 games, he made his debut against Eastern Michigan. A foot injury also forced him to miss MSU's last three games. Two minor ankle sprains since Christmas further hampered his development, and he's missed the last two games after developing futher pain in his foot. Sophomore Alvin Ellis III suffered a severe sprained right ankle after just three minutes against Navy and did not return to action until playing five minutes against Notre Dame. Junior Bryn Forbes did not miss any time, but he played with a brace on his left (non-shooting) hand while recovering from a broken bone for the first 10 games. Senior Branden Dawson missed MSU's game vs. Santa Clara with the flu, which also limited his minutes at the Orlando Classic. Against Eastern Michigan, he suffered a wrist injury that kept him out of action for two games. In total, MSU has lost 23 games due to illness and injury for its rotation players.
Playing The Best
Since the 1997-98 season, the year of Michigan State's first of 17 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans have played 190 games against ranked opponents. That total ranks first among teams that have appeared in a Final Four since then. The Spartans are followed by North Carolina (176), Texas (167), Duke (166), Kentucky (165), and Illinois (165). (Through games of Feb. 19)
Wollenman Honored For Academics
Colby Wollenman has been named to the Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-District 5 First Team. The forward from Big Horn, Wyoming, owns a 3.98 overall GPA as a physiology (pre-med) major. First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. He is joined on the All-District 5 First Team by Butler's Alex Barlow, Western Michigan's Austin Richie, Valparaiso's Alec Peters, and Xavier's Matthew Stainbrook.
Big Ten Schedule
Moving to a 14-team conference for 2014-15, each Big Ten team will play five schools twice, four schools on the road, and four schools at home. Michigan State will go home and home with Maryland, Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan, and Illinois. The Spartans will host Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Purdue, while traveling to Iowa, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Eight of Michigan State's 13 Big Ten opponents appeared in the 2014 postseason, including five in the NCAA Tournament (Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin), two in the NIT (Illinois, Minnesota) and one in the CBI (Penn State).
Prep Teammates
Michigan State's roster features three pairs of high school teammates. Junior Denzel Valentine has been reunited with high school classmate Bryn Forbes, who spent his first two seasons at Cleveland State. The duo teamed to appear in three-straight Michigan Class B title games from 2010-2012, capturing the state championship in 2011 and 2012. Forbes transferred to MSU this past June, and later received a waiver from the NCAA allowing him to play this season. Freshmen Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. and Marvin Clark Jr. both attended Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. They were teammates during the 2012-13 season, posting a 29-1 record, with Clark as a senior and Nairn as a junior. Clark then did a year of prep school at Sunrise Christian last season, while Nairn finished his high school career. Sophomores Alvin Ellis III and Gavin Schilling were teammates at Chicago De La Salle as juniors in 2011-12. Ellis graduated from De La Salle, while Schilling spent his final season at Findlay Prep in Nevada. In addition, although Branden Dawson (Indiana) and Travis Trice (Ohio) attended high school in different states, they were AAU teammates for SYF Players over the summer.
Spartans In The NBA
Michigan State leads all Big Ten schools with eight players appearing on NBA rosters this season. Gary Harris (Denver) and Adreian Payne (Minnesota) are in their rookie seasons after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. They join former Spartans Alan Anderson (Brooklyn), Shannon Brown (Miami), Draymond Green (Golden State), Zach Randolph (Memphis) and Jason Richardson (Philadelphia) in the NBA. Kalin Lucas (Memphis) signed a free-agent contract in November and appeared in his first career game on Nov. 19.
Spartans Sign Strong Recruiting Class
Michigan State signed three talented players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Kyle Ahrens (G, 6-5, 195) led Versailles (Ohio) High School to the Ohio Division III state title game as a sophomore. He was averaging 22 points, seven rebounds as four assists as a junior before suffering a season-ending leg injury in the sixth game of the season. Deyonta Davis (F/C, 6-10, 215) is a five-star big man who averaged 15.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 7.1 blocks as a junior at Muskegon High School, leading his team to a perfect 28-0 mark and a Michigan Class A state championship. He established a Michigan state high school single-season record with 199 blocks in 2013-14. Matt McQuaid (G, 6-5, 180) averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds as a junior at Duncanville (Texas) High School. He exploded during the off season, averaging 15.6 points in the 2014 Nike EYBL circuit, shooting 45.1 percent from 3-point range. ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman called him "arguably the best pure shooter in the country."
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 20th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 486-195 (.714), and 230-105 (.687) in the Big Ten, as the head coach of the Michigan State basketball program. He ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan State history, having passed his mentor Jud Heathcote with his 341st career victory on Nov. 28, 2009. In his 19 full seasons as a head coach, Izzo has captured eight National Coach of the Year awards, including the Clair Bee Award in 2005 and NABC honors in 2001 and 2012. In 1999, Izzo was named National Coach of the Year by Basketball Times, while earning similar honors from The Associated Press, Basketball News and the USBWA in '98. He also earned National Coach of the Year accolades from CBSSports.com in 2012. He earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 2009 and 2012.
Among The Big Ten's Best
Tom Izzo's .687 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks fourth all-time with among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind Wisconsin's Bo Ryan (.715), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700), Ohio State's Thad Matta (.690) and ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .766, followed by Ryan (.737), Knight (.734), Izzo (.714), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 230 conference victories, Izzo ranks third all-time.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 19 seasons, Tom Izzo won 468 games, ranking fourth in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 18 years.
Izzo's Coaching Tree
Three current Division I head coaches all served as assistants to Tom Izzo, including Tom Crean (Indiana), Brian Gregory (Georgia Tech), and Mark Montgomery (Northern Illinois). Stan Heath has been a head coach for 12 seasons, with stints at Kent State, Arkansas and South Florida. Mike Garland served as head coach at Cleveland State for three seasons and Stan Joplin, an assistant during Izzo's first season, spent 12 seasons as head coach at Toledo. Jim Boylen was head coach at Utah for four years. Doug Wojcik spent nine seasons between Tulsa and College of Charleston.
